Michelin begin ticket refund process

Michelin began the process of refunding US Grand Prix ticket holders yesterday after tyre failures turned last month's race into a six-car fiasco.

Michelin North America and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) said all those who had bought race day tickets for the June 19 event were eligible.

Some 120,000 fans attended the race and details of how to claim were provided through the US Grand Prix website (www.usgpindy.com).

"If the US Grand Prix at Indianapolis is included on the 2006 Formula One schedule, Michelin will also purchase 20,000 tickets to that event," said a statement.

The seven Michelin-contracted F1 teams withdrew from the race after being advised not to compete by the French manufacturer following tyre failures in practice.

Tests found that the tyres could not withstand the stresses of the final banked corner. A request for a temporary chicane was vetoed by the sport's governing body for sporting and legal reasons.

The threat of sanctions against the teams was lifted on Thursday after they presented new evidence to the International Automobile Federation (FIA) in Monaco.